A New Zealand parliamentary committee has recommended suspending three Māori Members of Parliament for performing a haka protest during a parliamentary session, reigniting debate over the country’s treatment of its Indigenous people and the legacy of the Treaty of Waitangi.

At the heart of the controversy is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, a young opposition MP, who initiated the haka during a heated discussion around a now-defeated bill seeking to reinterpret the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi—New Zealand’s founding document.

The haka, a traditional Māori dance rich in symbolism and cultural identity, was performed inside the legislative chamber, sparking criticism from ruling coalition lawmakers and eventually leading to disciplinary action.

The committee has recommended suspensions of varying lengths—one week for Maipi-Clarke and 21 days for Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer—stating that their actions may have “intimidated” other lawmakers.

Treaty of Waitangi at the Centre of Controversy

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840, established a formal relationship between the British Crown and Māori tribes, guaranteeing Māori the rights of British subjects and ownership of their lands, forests, and taonga (treasures). It is considered New Zealand’s foundational legal document.

However, interpretations of the treaty have long been a point of contention. The Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by the right-wing Act Party, aimed to legally redefine the treaty’s principles. The party argued that the existing framework encouraged racial division and sought to “clarify” its legal basis.

The bill sparked massive backlash across New Zealand. More than 40,000 people protested outside parliament in November 2024 during its first reading, and thousands more joined a nine-day protest march from the north to Auckland.

Haka Protest and Parliamentary Discipline

During one of the parliamentary sessions in 2024, when questioned on whether her party opposed the bill, Maipi-Clarke responded with a haka rather than a verbal answer. The act, though symbolic and steeped in cultural meaning, was deemed by some lawmakers as a violation of parliamentary decorum.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, himself of Māori descent, strongly condemned the protest, saying,

“These are out-of-control MPs who flout the rules and intimidate others with outrageous hakas.”

The committee concluded that the haka could have had an intimidating effect, thus justifying punitive action under parliamentary rules.

Māori Party Condemns the Move as Colonial Suppression

The Māori Party has fiercely opposed the committee’s recommendations, calling it a draconian measure aimed at silencing Indigenous voices.

In an official statement, the party said:

“When tangata whenua resist, colonial powers reach for the maximum penalty.”

They pointed out that the recommended punishments are among the harshest ever handed down in New Zealand’s parliamentary history and serve as a “warning shot” to all Māori MPs who might challenge institutional norms.

A History of Protest and Cultural Resistance

This is not Maipi-Clarke’s first dramatic gesture inside parliament. During the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year, she tore up a printed copy of the bill in an emotional act of defiance.

The haka, performed in this context, is not just dance but a potent symbol of Māori resistance, pride, and identity. It is commonly used during important ceremonies and protests, meant to convey unity, strength, and defiance.

The disciplinary recommendation has thus reignited debates over the cultural role of haka, its place within formal institutions like parliament, and the freedom of Indigenous expression in modern New Zealand.

Treaty Principles Bill: A Divisive Legislation

The Treaty Principles Bill, sponsored by the Act Party, proposed to narrow the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi by removing certain recognised legal principles, especially those ensuring Māori participation and consultation in state decisions.

Critics, including legal scholars and Indigenous leaders, warned that the bill would undermine Māori rights and lead to increased racial and societal polarisation.

Despite being voted down in its second reading on 10 April 2025, the bill’s introduction had already caused deep societal rifts, which continue to fester in political and public discourse.

What Comes Next: Parliamentary Vote Looms

The recommendation for suspension will be put to a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, and the ruling conservative coalition is expected to support the measure, given their earlier stance on parliamentary conduct.

Should the vote pass, the three MPs will face temporary expulsion from the legislature, marking a rare and significant disciplinary precedent.

However, Māori leaders and civil rights groups are warning of the long-term political damage, saying the move could alienate Māori communities, further eroding trust in democratic institutions.

Māori Identity and Struggles in Modern New Zealand

The current episode brings back long-standing grievances of the Māori people, who have faced generations of systemic marginalisation, land confiscation, and cultural erosion since the colonial era.

While New Zealand has made notable strides in recognising Māori rights—including the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal and integration of Te Reo Māori (language) into education—tensions persist over land, resources, political autonomy, and cultural respect.

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